Posts Tagged ‘boston travel’

Traveling can cost a bundle: when you figure in airfare, lodging, food and attractions, the costs can seem overwhelming. And Boston is an expensive city. Fear not! Here are some great tips for saving money when staying in Boston…

1. Forgo expensive hotels and rent a furnished apartment. This especially makes sense when traveling as a family or with friends. One of the many perks of renting an apartment is that you’ll experience the city as a resident instead of a tourist, in a residential neighborhood, among the locals. While most hotels in the city will cost you well over $300/night per room, you’ll be able to find comfortable apartments in most areas of the city (North End, Back Bay, South End, Beacon Hill, etc) for half the cost.

2. Eat like a Bostonian. Some of the best food in the city can be found at food trucks and ethnic hold-in-the-walls that don’t cost a fortune. Chinatown is chock full of delicious little restaurants that offer dim sum (yummy appetizer-like dishes typically eaten for lunch) and authentic Asian cuisine. The North End has many restaurants that offer traditional and modern Italian food for cheap (as well as fine dining). You’ll find food trucks all around the city, such as Copley Square. And if you’re staying at an apartment instead of a hotel, simply load up the fridge and eat breakfast at home for pennies while you save your money for lunch and dinner.

3. Travel off season. There are some key dates to avoid, as accommodation rates soar during those times. Save money and don’t travel during: April 18 – 21 (the Marathon), mid May through early June (college graduation season) and October 16 – 19 (Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge). And if you are an adventurer with an open mind, consider visiting Boston in December, January, February or March, when rates will be rock bottom.

4. Forgo major league sports. An afternoon watching the Sox at Fenway can cost you upwards of $200 per person if you figure in parking, food and ticket. However, you can attend a wonderful college or minor league game for a fraction of that cost. Go ahead and experience Fenway through an off hours tour, then escape the insanity before the game begins.

5. Forgo a rental car. Boston is a small city, and you can experience most of it by subway and foot. That stereotype of the aggressive and inept Boston driver? It’s spot-on. And Boston streets, most of which were built on former cow paths, are confusing, to say the least. One way streets are common, as are rotaries and missing street signs. When you’re done driving, you’ll have to find a parking spot, which will be next to impossible to find. Want to park in a lot or garage? Be prepared to spend about $30/day. Trust us, you don’t want to deal with a car in the city!

6. Take advantage of discounts for museums and attractions. There are wonderful museums in Boston, but they can cost a small fortune. However, many museums offer big discounts during specific times. For example, The Boston Children’s Museum costs just $1 per person on Friday evenings from 5-9 pm. The Institute of Contemporary Art is free on Thursdays from 5-9 pm and the last Saturday of each month. The Boston City Pass and Go Boston Card (smartdestinations.com) are full of free admissions and discounts. So with a bit of savvy and advance planning, you can save a bundle.

7. Stay in lesser known areas in and near Boston. We all know and love the Back Bay, Beacon Hill and North End. Which is why accommodations in those areas can cost you a pretty penny. The South End is right next to the Back Bay and because it’s not as well known, bargains can be had. Brookline and Cambridge are charming urban towns just outside Boston; they are subway accessible (just minutes away) and boast wonderful shops, restaurants and attractions.

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